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Black spot six thread tassel fish (Polydactylus sextarius) — Polynemidae

Black spot six thread tassel fish

Polydactylus sextarius
Family: Polynemidae

The Black spot six thread tassel fish (Polydactylus sextarius) is a brackish-water fish of the family Polynemidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
16.0–73.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blackspot threadfin is a threadfin (Polynemidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a dark spot above the pectoral fin and six free, thread-like fin rays below the pectoral fin that serve as feelers. It inhabits sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf in coastal waters. Probing the bottom, it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and small fishes. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black spot six thread tassel fish?

The Black spot six thread tassel fish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Dark blotch above the pectoral fin and six thread-like tactile fin rays; bottom hunter and food fish.

Where does the Black spot six thread tassel fish live?

The Black spot six thread tassel fish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Black spot six thread tassel fish get?

The Black spot six thread tassel fish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Black spot six thread tassel fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black spot six thread tassel fish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black spot six thread tassel fish edible?

Yes, the Black spot six thread tassel fish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Black spot six thread tassel fish (Polydactylus sextarius) — Polynemidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black spot six thread tassel fish (Polydactylus sextarius) — Polynemidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Bloch, Marcus Elieser; Hennig, J. F.; Schneider, Johann Gottlob (Public domain) [illustratie]
Black spot six thread tassel fish (Polydactylus sextarius) — Polynemidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) fhvc, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black spot six thread tassel fish (Polydactylus sextarius) — Polynemidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) orcinusss, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black spot six thread tassel fish verified
Scientific name
Polydactylus sextarius
Family
Polynemidae
Other names
Blackbarred morwong; Blackspot six-thread tasselfish; Blackspot threadfin; Black-spot threadfin; Blackspot-threadfin; Sixfinger threadfin; Tasselfish; Threadfin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
16.0 verified
Max depth (m)
73.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy bottoms of coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Dark blotch above the pectoral fin and six thread-like tactile fin rays; bottom hunter and food fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Polydactylus

More from the family Polynemidae

Fin

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